Victims' descendants want compensation for 1898 Race Riots

WILMINGTON -- The state of North Carolina has acknowledged and apologized for the 1898 Race Riots, but is that enough?
Some descendants of people who were run out of Wilmington during the riots believe along with the apology there should be monetary compensation.
During the 1898 riots white supremacists violently overthrew the New Hanover County government, which included an unusually large number of black leaders for the turn of the century.
Alexander Manly ran a newspaper in the 1890s. His printing press was burned down during the race riots. Manly's grandson Lewin says the he won't be happy until someone pays.
Lewin said, "It's a start. It's nothing but a start. In other words, they are starting to get on the moral high ground but there is a long way to go… Until I see the money, it means nothing… In my case I think it should be in the millions."
The state senate had considered monetary compensation but voted against it earlier this week.
State Sen. Julia Boseman says the purpose of the recently passed bill is to put the race riots into schools curriculum. She says the riots are, "Embarrassing, but that so many people don't even have knowledge of the race riots, and we just think it is very important to acknowledge what happened and apologize for it."
There is some debate on whether or not the race riots should be added to the curriculum in our schools.

Disclaimer: Comments posted on this, or any story are opinions of those people posting them, and not the views or opinions
of WWAY NewsChannel 3, its management or employees. You can view our comment policy here.